salary$36,070 a year$17 an hour · median pay in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$27,260per year
Top pay (top 10%)$63,680per year
Jobs in the area57,830people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Fort Lauderdale?
Expensive. Rent of $2,109 a month takes 70.2% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL area is $36,070 a year ($17 an hour). Most earn between $27,260 and $63,680.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Fort Lauderdale?
Typical rent of $2,109 a month takes 70.2% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area.